Hi Everyone,
So, although our wedding is about 18 months away, I can't seem to help myself from planning out details and thinking about the day (I am sure it's the same for all brides).
We are having our wedding on a Friday and having both the ceremony and reception at the same place (Palais Royale). Since it is a Friday, we decided to have our ceremony around 6pm to ensure that everyone can make it and have a cocktail hour after the ceremony, then go right into the reception.
As a result, I had planned on having most or all photos taken before the ceremony. I was mentioning this to some other people, and they looked at me like I had three heads. This of course means, that my FI and I will see each other before the ceremony. Am I ruining "the moment"? I can't really see how this would work out any other way scheduling wise. I figure what is important is the first time that we see each other that day, and make sure it's photographed. What are your thoughts on this?
Re: Am I ruining "the moment"?
In a way, I think it's even better - you'll actually have TWO moments! The first when you see each other for the first time, and the second when you walk down the aisle.
You can actually stage the "first" moment - have him blindfolded, or have him standing with his back to you until you walk up to him, whatever. That way you'll still have that element of surprise. I always find those first meetings are really sweet when they're capture on camera too. The other thing I like about meeting for the first time before the ceremony is that it gives you the opportunity to chat - you can tell each other how great you look, etc. You can't really do much more than whisper for a few moments when you're at the front of the aisle.
I promise you that it won't make you any less excited to walk down the aisle! Even though we had been spending the morning and early afternoon together, I was excited TO GET MARRIED.
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That's our (unedited) pictures from our "first look". Since we had two photographers they had one upstairs capturing Derek and one downstairs getting me.
It was a really sweet moment and I really enjoyed it.
From experience, just make sure you book enough time to get all the pictures you want. Everyone kept telling me that we had "more than enough time" but in the end, we didn't get as much as I'd have liked. (Ceremony at 6:30, started pictures around 3, had to go into "hiding" at 6 since the guests were arriving, travel time and getting people organized just ate up too much time!)
We'll just not tell H about this little fact, m'kay?
For me it was priceless.... the most important person in my life saw me before anybody else, when my make-up was freshly done, my hair was flawless, my dress was perfectly pressed, etc. I really wanted to look perfect for him, and we were able to share a very intimate moment where we just hugged and told eachother how much we loved eachother many many times. You don't get to do that when you walk down the aisle... at least not for as long as we did it in private ...and our photographer was able to capture that moment. See some of my photos below:
Good luck with the planning!!
Turns out it's totally acceptable and as everyone said above, it's still a great moment!!! I'm really excited because I won't have to rush around in between the ceremony and dinner, and we can go further away from our venue which is a bonus.
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Our parents are more excited to see that "moment" that we first see each other at the church down the aisle and everything, but I am really liking the planned moment thing! I'd rather have that moment privately than have to do it at the church in front of everyone AND to deal with emotions and nervousness (not of marriage, of falling down the aisle....seriously, I'm a clumsy one...) at the same time.
Wow...now I have so many pre-wedding ideas!
AuroraGirl - amazing pics! such a pretty bride!!!
Do what makes sense for you logistically. We couldn't see each other beforehand for religious reasons, and it meant we had to really squeeze in picture time during the cocktail hour. If doing pictures ahead of time means you can have a more relaxed cocktail hour and reception and more time to enjoy being with each other and your guests, go for it!